Representatives of Kirov State Medical University - E.A. Khodyreva, translator at the International Relations Office, and Arian Mahmoud, a 4th-year international student - joined the Kirov region delegation at the International Youth Forum "Eurasia Global 2026", held from 23 to 28 June in Orenburg.
The forum gathered 410 participants, including 160 active members of International Friendship Clubs (IFCs) from 24 countries, along with organizers, experts, and volunteers. IFCs are global communities of young people (ages 14–35) who implement joint initiatives, exchange experiences, and strengthen cultural understanding and friendship between Russia and other countries. Following President Vladimir Putin's directives, these clubs continue the "Cultural Patronage" program launched at WFY-2024, where Russian regions hosted foreign delegations to showcase local history, traditions, and culture.
Currently, there are 90 IFCs, uniting over 30,000 participants from 140 partner countries across seven key tracks: Media, Creative Industries, Public Administration, Education & Science, Entrepreneurship, Sports, and IT.
At Eurasia Global 2026, participants engaged in sessions on leadership, cross-cultural dialogue, community development, event management, and mentoring. The results were tangible:
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Roadmaps for IFCs were created across five directions: cultural, educational, adaptation, project-based, and cultural patronage.
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Proposals were developed for the "Cultural Patronage" program at WFY-2026.
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Cross-club mentoring programs were launched to share skills and experience between regions.
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Participants boosted their competencies in community building, international cooperation, project management, and media support.
New joint ideas also emerged on the spot, including:
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An Arabic language club between representatives of Egypt and Tatarstan;
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Educational visits by Spanish speakers to schools in the Leningrad region;
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Mentoring agreements — with Moscow and St. Petersburg clubs offering to support beginner teams.
The Kirov delegation returned not only with new international friends, but also with fresh ideas, useful tools, and strong impulses for expanding their own club, strengthening international ties, and contributing to regional development.
